Faulensee on Lake Thun – Hotels, Swimming Spots and History
Accommodation in Faulensee
Faulensee is a village on Lake Thun in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland and belongs to the municipality of Spiez in the canton of Bern. Faulensee was first mentioned around 660; its medieval history includes changing feudal affiliations and ties to the Thun region. Like the wider Thun region, Faulensee has been part of Bern since the late 14th century.
Schifflände Faulensee am Thunersee (Kanton Bern, 2017)
Photo: JoachimKohler-HB via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
History
The church of Faulensee stands on the so-called Columban Hill, on a small rise above the shore of Lake Thun. It is an elegant building that was once an old Columban chapel. Long before the Reformation, the church is said to have been a much-visited pilgrimage site and place of worship.
Until the 19th century, Faulensee had an early medieval Columban chapel dependent on Spiez, first mentioned in 1330. Its foundations were uncovered in 1960–1961; remains of the foundations of a medieval castle were also identified, along with pottery finds dating from the 11th to the 13th century. These historical remains, together with a burial ground, form part of Faulensee’s documented ecclesiastical and archaeological heritage. The differing dates show that several historical layers have been documented here side by side: they do not belong to the same period.
The Faulensee artillery fortification is also part of the village’s history. After a construction period of six months, it was commissioned in 1942. During the Cold War, the Swiss Army used the fortification as a secret base. During the official opening hours, visitors to the Faulensee artillery fortification are grouped together for guided tours.
Water
From the swimming spot near the Faulensee tourist office, a path leads directly from the sunbathing lawn into Lake Thun. For this swimming spot, arriving on foot, by bicycle or by public transport is recommended. The Faulensee lido offers a stepped entrance into the water, a raft on the lake, as well as toilets, changing facilities and showers. It also has a well-maintained sunbathing lawn with wonderful views of the mountains on the opposite shore.
The Faulensee tourist office rents out pedal boats, canoes, SUPs, motorboats that do not require a licence and a Sealander. After a brief instruction, all rental boats in Faulensee may be operated without a boating licence.
Canoes and SUPs are collected in Faulensee for the Lake Thun canoe route. A short paddle takes you to the Blue Turtle bistro at Güetital boat harbour.
The choice of a hotel in Faulensee can be guided by the different aspects of the village. On Lake Thun there are swimming spots, sunbathing lawns and water sports activities; at the same time, the village’s history extends from Columban Hill and the early medieval chapel to the artillery fortification. This brings two clearly recognisable focal points to travel planning: days by the water and historical discoveries. Both themes are part of Faulensee and can be considered separately or together when making personal plans. The combination of local history and water also shapes the choice of content that can take centre stage during a stay.
More destinations
Find more destinations here: Oberwil Im Simmental, Niederstocken, Diemtigen, Erlenbach Im Simmental, Spiez, Wimmis, Därstetten, Oey.
To the overarching travel overview: Niedersimmental.
.jpg){kind=link}